The rapid growth in the number of regional trade agreements (RTAs) has led to concern about the weakening of the multilateral trading system. This paper looks at the spread of such agreements and the extent which they pose a threat to the system.

The objective of this paper was to assess the extent to which regional trade agreements (RTAs) could prevent protectionist "back slidings" and contribute to the smooth functioning of the multilateral trading system. The paper examined a number of trade policy instruments (antidumping, subsidies...